RAIN Eugene bookended the recently completed quarter with two events that show the building enthusiasm for local entrepreneurship.
On January 13, RAIN Eugene hosted the inaugural State of the Startup Ecosystem Address. About 400 people packed the Hult Center’s Soreng Theater to celebrate the third cohort of accelerator graduates. The success of the event stunned many long-time RAIN supporters, including board member Sabrina Parsons.
“I was blown away,” she told The Register Guard. “[The turnout indicates] that people are excited, interested and they want to support both startups and the tech sector.”
[Read The Register Guard recap of State of the Startup Ecosystem]
Excitement is now building for the May opening of the innovation hub at 942 Olive Street. In addition to RAIN Eugene, the 12,800-square-foot space will house the University of Oregon’s Tyler Invention Greenhouse and the UO Product Design program.
Program officials are anticipating great opportunities for collaboration between students, entrepreneurs, researchers and other innovators. The building will also support outreach opportunities for high school students and local residents to learn about sustainability, product design and entrepreneurship.
“The collision of different disciplines is where we see innovation happen,” said RAIN Chief Startup Officer Joe Maruschak.
The RAIN portion of the building features a co-working space, a classroom and offices.
The next accelerator cohort begins June 13. Applications are due May 18.
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